Bakken Rig Count Holds at 30; Phoenix Rig Released in Divide County

The number of active drilling rigs in North Dakota held at 30 on Thursday, September 24, despite the release of one rig from a well site in Divide County, according to live rig data tracked by Bakken Wire.

Phoenix Operating LLC released the T&S DRILLING 2 rig from location 160-97-19. There were no new rigs added or rigs moved to new locations, resulting in a net decline of one active rig from the previous day's total.

The current count of 30 rigs represents a decline in overall drilling activity over recent weeks. The rig count is down by three from the total of 33 active rigs reported one week ago on September 17. Compared to one month ago on August 25, when 36 rigs were active, the current fleet is down by six rigs.

The steady reduction in the active rig fleet over the past month suggests a cautious approach by operators amid fluctuating commodity prices and ongoing capital discipline. The Bakken formation, North Dakota's primary oil-producing region, remains a core area for many independent operators, but activity levels are sensitive to operational budgets and long-term development plans.

A rig count in the low 30s is consistent with the moderated pace of drilling that has characterized much of 2026, as companies focus on generating free cash flow and returning capital to shareholders rather than pursuing aggressive production growth. The release of a rig in Divide County, a historically active northwestern county in the Williston Basin, indicates routine operational adjustments as individual wells are completed.

The rig count is a leading indicator of future oil production, and a sustained level near 30 rigs would be expected to maintain Bakken output at a relatively flat trajectory in the coming months. State production data, which lags by several months, will eventually reflect the current drilling pace.

Industry analysts monitor the rig count closely for signs of expansion or contraction in the oil field service sector. The current trend suggests stable but restrained demand for drilling contractors and related services across the state.